Hunting: Black bear

The general black bear season in New Hampshire begins September 1, 2008; hunting with dogs begins September 22 where permitted. End dates vary by method and WMU, so click here for specific season dates by WMU, or refer to the NH Hunting Digest for specific rules for the area of the state you plan to hunt (click here and on the orange publication cover). Hunters took 614 black bears in New Hampshire during 2007, respresenting the third highest harvest on record. The black bear population in New Hampshire is estimated at 4,800 animals; the statewide population appears to remain relatively stable.

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• Regional bear density
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2008 Bear Season Dates

2008 N.H. Bear Hunt Season
By Andrew Timmins, Bear Project Leader
New Hampshire black bear population remains strong and stable and is about 4,800 animals. Bears may be hunted in all regions of the state by various methods, although seasons do vary by region. The success rate of bear hunters in New Hampshire is consistent with hunter success rates in most northeastern states, and averages 5% per year. During an average fall, 10,500 hunters will take 500 bears using three methods of harvest -- stalking, hounding and baiting.

Annual hunter success rates and harvest tallies depend largely on the distribution and abundance of natural foods.  Harvest tallies and success rates tend to fluctuate on an annual basis because the vulnerability of bears to hunter harvest is closely associated to the distribution and abundance of fall foods. During years with abundant food (such as acorns, beechnuts and berries), bears tend to feed in more remote areas and become localized, thereby decreasing their contact with hunters, which results in a lower harvest tally. Poor food conditions cause bears to travel further while foraging, concentrate bears around local food sources and cause bears to travel out of more remote, higher elevation areas into valleys closer to human-occupied areas. These factors all increase the vulnerability of bears to hunter harvest and result in an increase in the harvest tally.

Bears must pack on significant fat and gain a tremendous amount of weight to sustain them through hibernation. A bear's appetite increases during fall and they eat approximately three times as much compared to their summer diet.  The amount of time spent feeding each day increases to about 20 hours per day and they consume as many as 20,000 calories per day. The bear's biological clock shifts into an exaggerated eating mode, a condition referred to as "hyperphagia." The amount of weight the bear gains is regulated by the amount of fat reserves accumulated.  The amount of weight a female gains influences her reproductive success. A female's fat reserves need to be approximately three times greater than normal to enable her to successfully produce and support cubs.

Given the importance of food to bears during fall, bear behavior and activity patterns during that season are dictated by the location, quantity and quality of foods. To consistently succeed as a bear hunter, it is important to scout out those foods sources in areas that you plan to hunt to determine which foods are attracting bears.  Once fresh bear sign is located, patience and persistence often leads to hunter success.

The New Hampshire 2008 bear hunting season is looking very promising.  It appears that both beechnuts and acorns will be present in many areas.  In addition to hard mast, multiple berry-producing species (e.g., raspberries, blackberries, apples and various cherry species) should be yielding abundant crops by late summer and early fall.  At the start of the season in September, bears typically are predominantly feeding on fruits and berries.  As late September and October approach, bears begin seeking out those areas where beechnuts and acorns are present.

The anticipated fall mast crop should create some exciting opportunities for bear hunters during the upcoming season. The key to success will be to scout out areas with the above-mentioned food sources and look for evidence of recent bear-feeding activity.  It is never too early in the season to start scouting.  This will enable hunters to pinpoint those locations where food is present, even if bears have not begun to feed in the area.  An abundant bear population in many regions of the state has resulted in overlap between bear season and the archery, muzzleloader and regular firearms seasons for deer. This creates the opportunity to combine a bear and deer hunt this fall.

N.H. bear density estimates and 2007 harvest distribution:

2007 N.H. Bear Harvest Tally, Compared to Previous 6 Years

For more detailed harvest information, consult the most recent N.H. Wildlife Harvest Summary -- click here and on the publication cover at right.

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